Sony’s India head NP Singh is stepping down

NP Singh, the respected head of Sony’s entertainment business in India, is set to resign.

The announcement was made on Friday local time. A precise timeline for his departure as MD and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India was not available.

“I will continue to lead SPNI until we find the right person to take over. We have begun a structured succession planning process for my successor and hope to share exciting news in the near future. Finding the right fit is our top priority,” Singh said in an emailed statement.

He pointed to age and personal reasons as motivation for his decision. “After almost 44 years in my career, including a rewarding 25 years at SPNI, I have decided to step down from my role as MD and CEO. Having achieved many important milestones with our team, I am now ready to focus on social change and shift from operational to advisory roles,” Singh’s statement said.

“However, my commitment to SPNI and its success remains strong. During my time here, we have set industry benchmarks, expanded our reach and achieved many notable achievements. I am committed to ensuring that our legacy of success continues and grows under the new leadership,” he said in the statement.

The move comes just a few months after the collapse of Sony’s previously amicable agreement to merge its Indian film, TV and streaming businesses with that of Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL). Had the deal gone through, it would have led to the creation of a large, content-rich new player in TV and streaming that could have potentially competed strongly with the emerging giant of Muhesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries and his Viacom18-JioCinema. bandage.

The merger agreement had been under negotiation for more than two years. It officially started in December 2021, gaining necessary regulatory approvals along the way, but ended bitterly in January 2024 when Sony walked away.

Sony said at the time that certain conditions had not been met. Both parties are now seeking financial compensation from the other.

Despite the failure of the merger, Sony has placed significant emphasis on expansion in India, a youth-driven and growing company. market, which is in many ways the opposite of its native Japan. Singh was considered a safe pair of hands and was expected by many in the industry to oversee Sony’s next growth steps in the country. He was a featured speaker at Sony Group Corporation’s 2023 annual strategy presentation.